byzantine catholics

8/14/2019 Byzantine Catholics

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Byzantine Catholic Tradition

Mr. Pablo CuadraReligion Class


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Introduction

This presentation is the follow up for thepresentation titled Eastern Christianity,also found on slideshare.

This presentation will deal with the ByzantineCatholic Churches also known as GreekCatholic Churches , the largest and perhapsthe best known group of Eastern Catholics

Churches in the United States and NorthAmerica.

Byzantine Churches are Catholic Churches infull communion with the bishop of Rome or Pope. Byzantine Catholics Churches professthe same Creed (beliefs) and have the sameHoly Mysteries or Sacraments as anyother Catholic Church.

Byzantine Churches are unique in the sensethat they follow the spiritual patrimony,liturgical customs, and theological language,and nuances particular of the Christian East .Eastern Christianity is heavily influenced bythe Patristic writings of the Greek Fathers.


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Why are Byzantine Churches calledByzantine?

The Byzantine Catholic Churches are called thisway because they are the spiritual heirs of theSee of Byzantium (Constantinople), founded by St.Andrew the Apostle. The term Byzantine isderived from Byzantium, the city that, in the year 325 A.D., became the political, cultural, andcommercial center for the eastern, Greek speakingpart of the Roman empire .

Emperor Constantine I , the first Christian Romanemperor, renamed Byzantium the New Rome and thus transformed the city into his new imperialcapital and residence. The city was later renamedConstantinople after Constantines death and isnow modern Istanbul, Turkey.

The region known as Byzantium was evangelizedby St. Andrew the apostle also known as theProtocletos or the First called ; St. Andrew wasthe brother of St. Peter and like Peter was crucifieda martyr . According to tradition St. Andrew foundedthe see of Byzantium in the year 38 A.D; installingStachys as the first bishop. This apostolic see willlater become the Patriarchate of Constantinople .

After the Great Schism of 1054 that splitChristendom into East and West, the patriarchate of Constantinople became the Spiritual See of EasternOrthodox Christianity.

Byzantine Catholics are for the most partEastern Orthodox Christians that broke awayfrom the see of Constantinople and returned tofull communion with the See of Rome and itsbishop, the Pope, after the great Schism of 1054. The return to Rome took place graduallyin subsequent reunions.

Two of the most notable reunions are the Unionof Brest in 1595 and the Union of Uzhhorod in1646.


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What group of Churches make up theByzantine Churches?

The Byzantine Churches or Greek CatholicChurches are Sui Juris Churches (self-governing Churches), they are constituted bythe following Churches:

A. The Melkite Catholic Church B. The Ukrainian Catholic Church C. The Ruthenian Catholic Church D. The Romanian Catholic Church E. The Greek Catholic Church F. The Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of

Krizevci (former Yugoslavia) G. The Bulgarian Catholic Church

H. The Slovak Catholic Church I. The Hungarian Catholic Church J. The Russian Byzantine Catholic Church K. The Belarussian Greek Catholic Church L . The Albanian Greek Catholic Church M. The Macedonian Greek Catholic Church

Source (CNEWA)


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Who is a Byzantine Catholic? A. A Byzantine Catholic or Greek Catholic is an Eastern

Catholic and a member of the One, Holy, Catholic, andApostolic Church by reason of his or her baptism , andChristmation (Confirmation), and his or her participation in theHoly Mysteries (sacraments) and the Divine Liturgy(Eucharist), the central aspect of worship .

The Catholic Church headed by the bishop of Rome or Popeis a communion of 23 Sister Churches all equal in dignity. OneWestern (Roman Catholic or Latin Church) and 22 Eastern

Churches. B. Byzantine Catholics are not Roman Catholics; however, like

Roman Catholics are under the Spiritual and temporalJurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome or Pope.

C. Byzantine Catholics together with Roman Catholics professthe same Creed (faith) and practice the same seven HolyMysteries or Sacraments, each according to their own liturgicaltraditions, spirituality, and apostolic heritage. Hence, thatEastern Catholics and Roman Catholics, use different words,expressions, or formulas to speak about the same realities,beliefs, devotions, or practices of faith.

D. Byzantine Catholics are headed either by a Patriarch or bya Metropolitan bishop in charge of the local bishops. Easternand Roman Catholics can fulfill their Sunday obligation ineach others Church. Praying before the Holy Icons


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How are Sui Juris, Byzantine Catholic Churches structured?

Byzantine Catholic Churches are organized into:

A. Patriarchal Churches : these are Sui Juris Churches led by a high-ranking bishop known as Patriarch(father). The Patriarch is elected by a patriarchal synod , also known as a holy synod . He has authorityover the metropolitan bishops and clergy of the patriarchal territory; this is known as supra-metropolitanauthority. The Patriarch has the power to convoke a synod , the ability to ordain bishops, and spiritualauthority over all the catholic faithful inside his territory.

B. Major Archiepiscopal Churches : These are Sui Juris Churches led by a major Archbishop who hasthe same dignity and authority as a Patriarch, except he does not enjoy the dignity of title. He is elected bya synod of bishops , who must notify the Holy See for the confirmation of the major Archbishop. Major Archbishops like Patriarchs enjoy supra-metropolitan authority over the clergy and the faithful in their territories.

C. Metropolitan Churches : These are Sui Juris Churches led by a Metropolitan Archbishop . UnlikePatriarchs and major archbishops, who are elected by a synod, the Metropolitan is not elected by thecouncil of hierarchs (the equivalent of a synod of bishops, but enjoying less legislative authority). Thecouncil of hierarchs proposes three names to the Holy Father who eventually makes the final decision inthe selection of the Metropolitan. A metropolitan does not enjoy his authority until he makes a formalrequest for his palliun (a sign of authority and communion with the Pope). Unlike Patriarchs and major Archbishops, the Metropolitan Archbishop only enjoys supra-episcopal authority over the clergy andfaithful of his territory.

D. Other Churches : These are Churches Sui Juris that are neither Patriarchal, major archiepiscopal, or metropolitan. These churches are usually very small in number and lack proper hierarchical structures.These Churches are governed by an exarch (oridary bishop) who is directly dependant of the Holy See.


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What are some common terms used to describe the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the particular Byzantine Churches?

Archeparchy : the Byzantine equivalent of anArchdiocese. It is led by a MetropolitanArchbishop also known as Archeparch . TheArchbishop also oversees the suffraganeparchies under his jurisdiction.

Eparchy : the Byzantine equivalent of adiocese. It is led by a bishop also known as aneparch who oversees all the parishes andministries in his eparchy.

Exarchy : the Byzantine equivalent of anapostolic vicariate . It is led by an Exarch

(ordinary or bishop). An exarchy is a church jurisdiction, similar to a diocese, established for Eastern-rite Catholics living outside their nativeland.

Parishes : local churches led by a parish priest;sometimes with the assistance of a deacon or subdeacon.


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The Five CyclesThe Cycle of a Christians Life

The Great cycle of a Christians life :from birth to death, the life of a Christian isinfused with the grace of God through theHoly Mysteries (sacraments) and prayer.

In this cycle of life men and women journey towards union with God(Theosis ) and his promise of eternal life.

This journey towards Gods Kingdombegins at Baptism and Christmation andends with death.

In the course of this journey men andwomen are strengthened by theEucharistic meal , the body and blood of our Lord, received in holy communion ateach Divine Liturgy , the central aspect of Byzantine Catholic worship.

Also in the course of this journey theChristian person receives many other sacramental blessings to help him or her fulfill his or her earthly human vocation and spread the love of God and the lightof faith to all.


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The Five CyclesThe Daily Cycle

The Daily cycle : also known as the divine praises, are the prayers offered by the Church all day long.Through the recitations of these prayers the Church sanctifies the day while at the same time directing our attention to God, at specific times during the day. These prayers are offered in monasteries and inparishes where the clergy and Christian faithful gather to pray. Technically, only Vespers and Orthros(matins) are celebrated in the parishes with the exception of the midnight office celebrated in the parishon Holy Saturday . In the Byzantine liturgical tradition the Churchs day begins at evening, following theJewish customs of counting the days. The daily cycle or divine praises is compose of the following:

A. Vespers: is the solemn evening prayer of the Church which begins the liturgical day. We thank God for the blessing of creation, especially for the gift of light both corporal and spiritual, and ask for pardon for our sins and offenses, and protection throughout the night.

B. Compline: is a communal prayer before bedtime also known as Apodeipnon . C. The Midnight Office: is a nocturnal vigil , in which we meditate upon the unexpected coming of Christ.

It is also known as the Mesonyktikon. D. Matins (Orthros): is the solemn morning prayer of the Church, an office of supplication, repentance

and praise. E. The First Hour , celebrated after Matins, is the first of the four daytime Hours ; it is followed by:

The Third Hour , celebrated at mid-morning.The Sixth Hour , celebrated at noon.The Ninth Hour , celebrated between mid-afternoon and Vespers of the new day.

Typika: is a service of psalms and prayers appointed for the Liturgy of the day, which is held when theDivine Liturgy is not celebrated.

(source: Metropolitan Cantor Institute)


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The Five CyclesThe Weekly Cycle

Each day of the Weekly Cycle is devoted to specificindividual memorials . Sunday is dedicated to Christ'sResurrection. Monday honors the Holy Bodiless Powers(Angels, Archangels, etc.). Tuesday is dedicated to theprophets and especially the greatest of the Prophets, St.John the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord; Wednesday isconsecrated to the Cross and recalls Judas' betrayal.

Thursday honors the Holy Apostles and Hierarchs ,especially St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Lycia. Friday is alsoconsecrated to the Cross and recalls the day of theCrucifixion and Saturday is dedicated to All Saints, especiallythe Mother of God (Theotokos), and to the memory of allthose who have departed this life in the hope of resurrectionand eternal life.

Each week, of the Weekly Cycle, is centered around the

Eight Tones ( the basis for Byzantine Church music), andeach week has its appointed Tone . On Saturday Evening of Bright Week (the Eve of St. Thomas Sunday), the cycle of Tones begins with Tone One, and week by week, thesequence continues through the successive Tones, One toEight, changing to a new Tone every Saturday Evening,throughout the year.

(source: St. Melany Byzantine Catholic Church)


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The Five CyclesThe Annual Cycle of Movable Feasts

The annual cycle or liturgical year brings to our attention the principal events in the life of Our LordJesus, and his Mother, the Holy Theotokos , theaccomplishments of the Saints, and the theologicaldoctrines of the Faith through special feasts , fastsand commemorations .

The annual cycle is divided into movable and fixedfeasts . The movable feasts are also known as thePaschal cycle because the date of their celebrationis dependant on the central feast of the liturgicalcycle which is Pascha (Easter). The liturgical year or annual cycle begins in the Byzantine Catholic

tradition on September 1 (indiction).

The feasts associated with the annual cycle omovable feasts are: Palm Sunday , HolyAscension (the fortieth day after Pascha) and HolyPentecost (the Descent of the Holy Spirit the fiftiethday after Pascha).


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The Five CyclesThe Annual cycle of Fixed Feast

The fixed annual cycle is composedof memorials celebrated each year onthe same date.

Each day of the year is dedicated tothe memory of particular Christianevents or Saints, their particular feast

or memorial is celebrated always onthe same Calendar date each year.

Thus, in honor of each event or Saint(s), special hymns have beencomposed which are added to theusual hymns and prayers of the day.

May 13, for instance, is the feast of St.Cyril and Methodious , apostles to theSlavs.

(source: St. Tikhons seminary press)


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The Penitential Seasons of theByzantine Liturgical year

Fasting is an important discipline in the ChristianEast. Major portions of the Liturgical cycle are takenup by periods of fasting. In the Byzantine traditionobserved by Greek Catholics or Byzantine Catholics(and Orthodox Christians) there are four major penitential seasons, these are:

A. Great Lent also known as the Great Fast (40days)

B. The Apostles Fast also known as the Peter andPaul fast. (Length varies from jurisdiction to

jurisdiction) C. The Nativity Fast also known as The Philip Fast

(40 days). D. The Dormition Fast ( Two weeks)

In addition to these periods of fasting Greek Catholicsor Byzantine Catholics are to observe simple fastingon all Fridays throughout the year and strict fasting onthe first day of the Great Fast and on Great Friday(Good Friday). The particular law of each jurisdictionis to be observed by the faithful regarding Fasting.


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Did you Know? The Byzantine Liturgical year is very different

from the Latin Churchs Liturgical year used byRoman Catholics. The Roman CatholicLiturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, the Byzantine Liturgical year, on theother hand, begins on September 1 .

The Byzantine Liturgical year does not use theRoman Catholic structure and terminology for certain seasons, for instance, Greek Catholicsdo not have Advent or Ordinary time. In theByzantine tradition the season prior toChristmas, known in the Latin Church asAdvent, is call the Nativity Fast . There is noordinary time in the Byzantine tradition, allSundays are numbered after Pentecost .

Greek Catholics or Byzantine Catholics likeRoman Catholics consider Pascha (Easter), themost important season of the Church Year. LikeRoman Catholics, Byzantines have a Lentenseason known as the Great Fast or Great Lent.Byzantine Catholics like Roman Catholics also

celebrate the season of Christmas, known asthe Nativity .


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Great Lent or The Great Fast In the Byzantine Catholic Tradition or Greek Catholic tradition, Great Lent or the Great Fast begins

seven weeks prior to Pascha (Easter) on Clean Monday also known as Pure Monday . Lent ispreceded by the services of the Triodion . Byzantines Catholics or Greek Catholics unlike RomanCatholics do not observe Ash Wednesday. The Great Fast or Great Lent lasts 40 days, unlike theRoman Catholic season of Lent, the Byzantine Great fast includes Sundays.

The Great Fast comes to an end on Friday of the sixth week, before Lazarus Saturday , which is theSaturday before Palm Sunday . On Palm Sunday the Great entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem iscelebrated, this is one of the major feasts of the Byzantine liturgical year. Palm Sunday is followed bythe first three days of Holy week known in the Greek Catholic tradition as the end.

These days are Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday, during these days theBridegroom services are celebrated . Holy Monday begins with the Orthros (matins) on Palm Sundayevening (the beginning of the liturgical day) and the celebration of bride groom services. Theseservices portray Jesus as the bridegroom who give his life for his bride, the last bridegroom serviceculminate on Holy Wednesday evening. During holy week the services are reversed, the orthros

(matins) is celebrated in the evening and Vespers are celebrated in the morning.

Each day during Holy Week has a theme. The theme for Monday is Josephs virtue, and the witheringof the fig tree ; Tuesday is the Ten Virgins ; Wednesday is the anointing of Jesus at Bethany,Thursday is the Mystical Supper , Great Friday is the Passion , and Holy Saturday also known as theGreat Sabbath is the burial of our Lord. On Holy Wednesday the sacrament of anointing (HolyUnction) takes place, healing is intimately connected with repentance in Byzantine spirituality.


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Holy Thursday On this Holy day, the Byzantine

Catholic Tradition commemorates four important events in the life of Jesusand his disciples leading up to hispassion. These events are:

A. The washing of the Feet B. The institution of the Eucharist C. The agony at Gethsemane D. The betrayal by Judas

On Holy Thursday, the Liturgy of St.Basil the Great is celebrated. TheHoly Chrism also known as HolyMyron is consecrated for the use inthe administration of the HolyMysteries, especially: Baptism,Christmation, Holy Orders and HolyUnction . In some Byzantine traditionsa foot-washing rite follows the divineliturgy.


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Great and Holy Friday Byzantine tradition calls Good Friday, Holy and Great Friday , or just simply Great Friday.

On this day the service of the four Royal hours, is celebrated in the morning. This serviceconsist of Hymns, psalms and readings from the Scriptures related to Christs passion.There is no Divine Liturgy (Eucharist) celebrated on this day.

In the afternoon, around three oclock, the great Vespers are celebrated, the accounts fromthe Gospels regarding the the crucifixion and death of Jesus is read, special attention isgiven to role of Joseph of Arimatea in securing the body of Jesus for burial. During thereadings of the passion at the moment when Jesus body is taken from the cross, the priestremoves the icon of Jesus body (soma) from the cross, this liturgical action is calledApokathelosis which means taking down from the cross and carries the icon of Jesusbody to the sanctuary wrapped in a white cloth and places it on the holy table .

After the reading of the Passion the priest accompanied by the deacon and acolytes bringsout the epitaphios an carries it around the church and places the epitaphios in thesepulche r (tomb) decorated with flowers also known as (the kouvouklion). The epitaphiosis an embroidered cloth with the icon of Jesus body, after being taken down from the cross,depicting the body of Christ ready for burial.

On Friday evening the orthros (matins) of Holy Saturday are celebrated. This service consistof the Lamentations (hymns of praise intercalated with psalm118 used during funerals)sung by the congregation. During this service the Epitaphios icon is carried in processionaround the church. In some parishes the entire flower-bedecked Sepulcher, symbolizing theTomb, is carried in the procession.

Source: Greek Archdiocese of America


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Holy Saturday or Great Sabbath In the Byzantine tradition Holy Saturday begins with the

Orthros (Matins) on the evening of Great Friday. This isthe day between the crucifixion and the resurrection. Onthis day Byzantine spirituality reflects on Jesus descentinto Hades , the dwelling of the dead.

The Liturgy of St. Basil, celebrated on this day, remindsus that Jesus descended into Hades to loose the bond of

death. Death has no power, it has been defeated fromwithin, by the power of Christ. This is the longest liturgy of the liturgical year.

In the Byzantine Catholic tradition Holy Saturday is a dayof vigilant anticipation . On this day the liturgy focuseson Jesus rest on the tomb. Jesus observes the GreatSabbath , but his rest is not inert, mourning is radicallybeing transformed into joy. Jesus tomb is not an ordinarygrave. It is not a place of corruption, decay and defeat. Itis life-giving, a source of power, victory and liberation.

Later, just before midnight, Pascha is celebratedbeginning with the Midnight office , the first part of thepaschal vigil in the Byzantine tradition.


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Did you know? In the Byzantine tradition, the

liturgy which correspondsstructurally to the Easter Vigilof the Latin Church is theVesperal Liturgy of Holy

Saturday, celebrated onSaturday afternoon.

This is the service whichincludes the lengthy series of Old Testament readings andthe rites of Baptism andChrismation, as in the Westernpractice.


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The Byzantine Celebration of Pascha A. Pascha is the most important feast in the

Byzantine liturgical year. It celebrates theresurrection of our Lord and his victory over thepower of death.

B. In Byzantine Catholic spirituality Paschareveals the day without evening also known asthe eight day or the day of a new and everlasting

creation.

C.The celebration of Pascha begins just prior tomidnight with the celebration of the midnightoffice. This service is sometimes called Beforethe Tomb in the slavic tradition .

D. During the service, The odes of theLamentations from the previous night arerepeated. During the ninth ode of the canon, theepitaphios is transferred from the tomb in themiddle of the Church to the Holy table , where itwill remain until the leavetaking of Pascha.


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Agape Vespers On Sunday afternoon the festivity of

Pascha continues, as the faithful gathersfor Vespers. This particular Vesper service is known as Agape Vespers .The faithful sing Christ is Risen withtheir candles lit. The paschal greeting is

exchanged, Christ is Risen, Truly He isRisen. The after feast of Pascha begins.


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Did you know? In the Byzantine tradition the first week following

the celebration of Pascha is called bright week .Bright Week begins on the Sunday of Paschaand ends on the second Sunday of Paschacalled Thomas Sunday . This entire week isconsidered a continuous day of celebration and

joy for the Resurrection of our Lord .

Thomas Sunday commemorates theappearances of Christ following theresurrection. Specially the appearance toThomas, the doubting disciple.

This Sunday (Thomas Sunday) is also calledAntipascha (meaning in the stead of Pascha,

not in opposition to Pascha) because with thisday, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Churchconsecrates every Sunday of the year to thecommemoration of Pascha, that is, theResurrection.

Source: Greek Archdiocese of America


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What is the Divine Liturgy? In the Byzantine Catholic Tradition, Divine Liturgy is

the name used to refer to the celebration of theEucharist , the central aspect of Catholic Byzantineworship. The Byzantine Tradition has several liturgiesfor the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The mostcommon are:

A. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (5thCentury A.D.), used on most days of the year.

B. The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great (4thCentury A.D.), used on the 5 Sundays of Great Lent,and on Saint Basil's feast day (January 1). On the evesof the Nativity and Theophany, and on Holy Thursdayand Holy Saturday, it is celebrated as a vesperal liturgyin most cases. All together, St. Basil's liturgy iscelebrated 10 or 11 days out of the liturgical year.

C. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (6thCentury A.D.), served on Wednesdays and Fridaysduring Great Lent and on the first three days of HolyWeek. It is essentially the office of vespers with acommunion service added, the Holy Gifts having beenconsecrated and reserved the previous Sunday. It is

traditionally attributed to St. Gregory the Dialogist .


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Parts of the Byzantine Liturgy The Divine Liturgy is composed of

three main parts:

A. The Prothesis (or proskomedia),the service of preparing the holy gifts.

B. The Liturgy of the Catechumens or Liturgy of the word.

C. The Liturgy of the faithful or Liturgyof the Eucharist.

The Prothesis (preparation of the gifts)


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Did you know? In the Byzantine Catholic tradition, the antidoron

is the blessed bread distributed by the priest at theend of the Divine Liturgy. It comes from theprosphora , the loaf of bread that is used for HolyCommunion.

On top of the prosphora the Christogram iswritten: IC XC NI KA (Jesus Christ Conquers).During the prothesis , the prosphora is cut, but

only the center of the prosphora is used for theEucharist; this part of the prosphora is called theLamb .

The remaining part of the prosphora that is not usefor consecration becomes the antidoron. Theantidoron is cut into pieces and kept in a bowl or salver. It is important to remember that theantidoron is blessed bread, it is not sacramental (itis not consecrated into the body of Christ).

The antidoron may also be taken home for useduring the week. It is a pious custom for ByzantineChristians to begin the day, after their morningprayers and before eating, by consuming a particleof antidoron and drinking agiasmos, or blessedwater.


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The Holy Mysteries(continued)

In Byzantine Catholic terminology, the wordHoly Mysteries is used to refer to the sevensacraments that communicates the very life of God (grace) to those who receive them. TheseHoly Mysteries are:

A. Baptism : The sacrament of baptism isadministered in the Byzantine Catholic traditionby a threefold immersion in the name of theFather, Son and Holy Spirit.

Baptism takes place in the Kolymbethra abasin containing the baptismal water . After theimmersion the Godparents bring the baptismalgarments to dress the infant. The garments areconsidered sacred.

B. Chrismation : In the Byzantine Catholic

Tradition Chrimation (confirmation) is notdelayed to the age of reason . It followsImmediately after baptism, the infant isChrismated with Holy Chrism also known asHoly Myron . The Holy Chrism is blessedduring the liturgy of Holy Thursday. In theByzantine tradition, unlike the Latin tradition, thepriest can confer Christmation (confirmation).

Baptism by immersion


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The Holy Mysteries C. Eucharist : In the Byzantine Catholic

tradition Holy Communion , the reception of the body and blood of Christ, is not delayed tothe age of reason. Infants received HolyCommunion after Baptism. The preciousblood is given to the infant through aliturgical spoon .

D. Confession : In the Byzantine catholictradition confession does not take place in theconfessional, but in front of the Icon of Christ. After the confession the priest coversthe head of the penitent with theEpitrachelion (priests stole) and says theprayer of absolution.

E. Holy Unction : According to Byzantinepractice, this service is to be celebrated in thepresence of seven priest. However, pastoralcircumstances sometimes do not allow for thefull expression of this rite. Anyone that is illcan receive this sacrament. On HolyWednesday evening there is a special

celebration of anointing in ByzantineChurches.Byzantine Confession


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The Holy Mysteries(continued)

F. Marriage: In the Byzantine tradition the sacrament of

marriage is referred to as the Crowning. Marriage isconsidered in Byzantine spirituality an icon of therelationship between Jesus and His Church. According toByzantine practice the wedding is to take place on Sunday.

The first part of the wedding is the service of solemnbetrothal, followed by prayers, and the granting andblessing of the rings. Then the ceremony continues with the

crowning the main ritual of the wedding, and the liturgy of the word. After the readings the couple share the commoncup containing blessed wine .

After the couples share the cup, a litany is recited followedby a procession around the marriage table . After theprocession the crowns are removed and a final blessing isgiven.

G. Ordination: Ordination or Holy Orders is known in theByzantine Catholic tradition as cheirotonia. In theByzantine tradition there are minor orders and major orders . The minor orders (cheirothesia) are: subdeacon,reader, acolyte or candle bearer and cantor. The major orders (cheirotonia) are diaconate, presbyter (priest) andbishop.

The Crowning


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Did you Know? In the Byzantine Catholic tradition priests can be

from the celibate or from the married states.Byzantine Catholics monastics (monks andnuns) belong to the celibate state . In theByzantine Catholic Tradition, bishops areselected from the monastic ranks.

Until recently, in the United States, Byzantine

married men were not allowed to be ordainedpriests, like they do in Eastern Europe . A priestthat has been ordained cannot marry. However,a married man who wants to become aByzantine priest in the United States now cando so.

The old restriction (banning married clergy)imposed by the Latin Hierarchy in the USA haschanged, the Holy See has granted permission,to the local metropolias in the U.S., to ordainmarried men to the priesthood, on case by casebasis. This new development is in accord withthe Eastern Code of Law and the decree of

Vatican II regarding the Eastern Churches andtheir practices .

Christmation of Infant after baptism


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The Clergy In the Byzantine tradition priests, deacons and

monks are greeted as fathers . A monk who isalso a deacon is called Hierodeacon, and amonk who is a priest is called heiromonk. Thechancellor of an eparchy (diocese) is usuallycalled protsyngellos.

Titles of distinction, for clergy in the Byzantine

tradition, carrying a certain degree of dignity are:

A. Archpriest : an honorific titled given to a priest.His symbols are the mitre (liturgical hat) and the

epigonation . Archpriests are also known asprotopresbyters .

B. Archimandrite : is a celibate priest, and headand father (abbot) of a monastic community (he isthe equivalent of an Archpriest), his symbols arethe crozier (pastoral staff) and the mitre.

C. Hegoumenoi: is a priest- monk just below therank of Archimandrite. His symbol is theepigonation. Archimandrite

Liturgical Vestments


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Liturgical VestmentsEpitrachelion (Priests stole) Sticharion (Alb)

Phelonion (Chasuble)

Epitrachelion

Sticharion

Orarion (deacons stole)

OmophorionBishops Vestment

Omophorion

Sticharion

Epimanikia(Cuffs)


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Liturgical ColorsIn the Byzantine Catholic tradition the following liturgicalcolors are used:

A. White: is the symbol of Gods uncreated light. Whitevestments are worn on the great feasts of Easter, Christmas,Epiphany, Ascension and Transfiguration.

B. Red: is used on the Sundays of Great Lent, duringChristmas Fast, on the feast day of the Elevation of the LordsCross, and sometimes on the feast days of great martyrs.

C. Gold: is the color of glory, greatness and virtue. It isassigned to Sundays, as the days of the Lord the King of Glory; in addition, the Church in golden vestments notes thedays of His special anointed ones the prophets, apostlesand hierarchal saints.

D. Green : is the color of plants and a symbol of new life it isused on Palm Sunday and throughout the feast of the HolyTrinity (until its end).

E. Light blue or blue is the color of the feast days of theMost Holy Mother of God. It is the color of the sky, and itconforms to the teaching about the Mother of God, who heldthe Resident of the Heavens in Her Most Pure Body.

F. Black : is nearest in spirit to the weekdays of Great Lent. Itis the symbol of renunciation from worldly strife, It is the color of repentance and strictness to oneself.

Bishops Insignias


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Bishops Insignias

Miter

Omophorion

Bizantine Cross

Engolpion or Panagia

Crozier or PaterissaBishops staff


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The Three Holy Hierarchs In Byzantine Catholic Tradition the Feast of the Holy

Hierarchs , St Basil the Great, St Gregory the Theologian;and St. John Chrysostom is celebrated on Janurary 30th.

The Byzantine tradition venerates these three staunchpillars and defenders of our Church Doctrine against theheresies that sought to deny the divinity of Jesus Christ.St Basil was born in Cappodocia in Asia Minor in330A.D, He was the Archbishop of Caesarea.

St. Gregory of Nazianzus , who is called the Theologian,was born in Nazianzus in Cappodocia in 325 A D. He wasthe Archbishop of Constantinople.

St. John Chrysostom was born at Antioch in the year 347 A.D. He was renowned for his eloquence, and wasthus termed Chrysostom , which means GoldenMouthed in Greek, He was the Archbishop of

Constantinople, and he revised the Divine Liturgy whichwe still use today.

St. John Chrysostom is recorded in historical annals asthe most eloquent preachers of the Byzantine Church hishomilies are classics even to this day. These three HolyHierarchs are considered doctors of the Church in theWest. St. Basil, and St. Gregory are known as theCapadoccian fathers.


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Byzantine Architecture A. The Church building is divided into three

main parts: the narthex (vestibule), thenave (the temple proper) and thesanctuary (also called the altar or holyplace). The altar (sanctuary) is situated inthe eastern part of the church, behind theiconostasis or Templon , regardless of itsshape.

B. A bell tower is attached to (or builtseparately by the western part of thechurch. The church building has manysymbolic meanings; perhaps the oldest andmost prominent is the concept that theChurch is the Ark of Salvation (as inNoah's Ark) in which the world is savedfrom the flood of temptations.

C. The cupola instead of a flat ceilingsymbolizes the sky. In Russian churches,cupolas are often topped by an onion-shaped domes, where crosses aremounted.


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The Byzantine Sanctuary The Sanctuary is the Holiest place in a Byzantine Catholic Church. It is located behind the altar screen

called iconostasis or templon . It contains the following:

A. Altar table : It is located in the center, just behind the Holy doors or Beautiful gate . On top of the altar is the tabernacle , the book of the Gospel and the antimension are placed. Behind the altar acandelabra containing seven candles is found. (See graphic # 1 next slide)

B. Tabernacle or artophorion : is the sacred vessel used to reserve the Eucharist used to bringcommunion for the sick; it is usually shaped in the form of a Church. The presence of the Christ in thetabernacle is signaled by a vigil lamp. (See graphic # 8 next slide)

C. Table of Preparation or Prothesis : This table is also known as the table of oblation ; it is found in thesanctuary left to the altar. This is the table used for the service of preparing the the prosphora (bread)and wine; this service is known as proskomedia or office of oblation . On top of the prothesis rest thechalice (cup) the diskos (paten = round plate), the spear (liturgical knife), a liturgical spoon (for thedistribution of holy communion), the asterisk or star ( a metal stand that holds the cover for theEucharistic bread or prosphora). (See graphic #2- next slide)

D. Antimension : a rectangular piece of silk or linen decorated with the image of Christs entombmentand the image of the four Evangelists . A small relic of a martyr is sewn into it. During the Divine Liturgy(Eucharist), the antimension is placed on the center of the altar. The antimension serves as an altar incase of pastoral necessity and the Eucharist cannot be celebrated without it. Only the priest, deacon or

bishop can touch the antimension when fully vested.

Inside a Byzantine Catholic Church


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The Iconostasis A. In the Byzantine Catholic Tradition, the

Iconostasis (Greek for icon stand) or Templon,is a screen (wall), consisting of one or more rowsof icons, separating the nave from the sanctuary.

B. In Byzantine spirituality the iconostasis is aboundary between two worlds, the divine and thehuman. In some small Byzantine churches theiconostasis may be completely absent and maybe replaced by small icons. The Iconostasis hasthree sets of doors.

C. The central doors are call Holy doors or beautiful gate and contain an icon of theannunciation. The doors to the left and to the rightof the Holy doors are called the north and southdoors, also known as the deacon or angel doors.

D The Icons of the Savior, the Theotokos, TheArchangels and the Saints, featured on theiconostasis, represent the reconciliation takingplace between the human and the divine.

Iconostasis or Templon


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Byzantine SymbolsByzantine Cross Icons Christ Pantocrator

Christogram Jesus Christ Conquers Holy Candles


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Holy Icons In the Byzantine tradition Icons (holy images) are considered

windows to heaven. Icons are never painted they are written byiconographers. Icons have been used in the devotion of theChristian East from the very beginning.

St. John Damascene wrote, anyone who seeks to destroy theIcons of Christ or His Mother, the Blessed Theotokos, or any of the Saints, is the enemy of Christ, the Holy Mother of God, andthe Saints, and is the defender of the Devil and his demons.

An icon coud be an image of Christ, the Holy Theotokos, TheSaints, Angels, or important aspects in the life of Jesus or theChurch. Byzantine Catholics pray in the presence of Icon (notto the icon itself). Byzantine Catholics venerate the Holy Iconsto show respect for the sacred. In the Byzantine tradition Iconsare venerated the the following way:

1. Approach the icon and make two metania (bows) 2. Kiss the icon on feet or hands (never the face) 3. A candle may placed before the icon at this time 4. Make an additional metania and then depart

During Lent, a complete prostration to the ground is made

instead of the metania bow. Before entering the pew, the customis normally to bow to the altar and make the Sign of the Cross .


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Byzantine Liturgical Postures and Gestures In the Byzantine Catholic Tradition there are several

liturgical postures and gestures, the most common are:

A. Standing : It is the official posture of the Church. Inthe Byzantine Catholic Tradition, standing is a symbolof the resurrection . Byzantine Catholics stand for mostof the service (Europe), in America, however, seating ispermitted as a cultural adaptation.

B. Prostration: There are two basic kinds of prostrations, known as Great Metania, and SmallMetania. Both are preceded by the sign of the Cross .

Great Metania : the worshipper prostrates the wholebody, throwing the weight forwards onto the hands andtouching the ground with the forehead.

Small Metania : The worshipper bows from the waist,touching the ground with the fingers of the right hand.

D. Bows (reverance): At certain times the worshipper merely bows the head; sometimes this is accompaniedby the Sign of the Cross.


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The Prayer Rope A prayer rope is a devotional instrument o

prayer, in the form of a loop made up of complexknots, usually out of wool or silk, that is used byByzantine Catholics to count the number of timesthey have prayed the Jesus Prayer : "LordJesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, asinner. This prayer is the most mystical prayer inEastern Christianity according to some of theFathers of the Church.

To learn more about the prayer rope click on the titlebelow:

Prayer Rope or go to the following link:

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St. Cyril and Methodius Saints Cyril and Methodius were Byzantine

Greek brothers born in Thessaloniki in the 9thcentury, who became missionaries of Christianityamong the Slavic peoples of Great Moravia andPannonia.

Through their work they influenced the culturaldevelopment of all Slavs, for which they receivedthe title "Apostles to the Slavs". They arecredited with devising the Cyrillic alphabet , thefirst alphabet used to transcribe the Old ChurchSlavonic language.

After their deaths, their pupils continued their missionary work among other Slavs. Bothbrothers are venerated in the Byzantine Catholicand Eastern Orthodox Churches as saints withthe title of "Equals to the Apostles".

In 1880, Pope Leo XIII introduced their feast intothe calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. In1980, Pope John Paul II declared them co-patrons of Europe , together with SaintBenedict of Nursia . The feast of St. Cyril andMethodius is celebrated on May 11th.

Icon of St. Cyril and Methodius

Vatican II


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Vatican IIDecree Orientalium Ecclesiarum

All members of the Eastern Rite should know and beconvinced that they can and should always preserve

their legitimate liturgical rite and their established way of life, and that these may not be altered except to obtainfor themselves an organic improvement. All these, then,must be observed by the members of the Eastern ritesthemselves. Besides, they should attain to on ever

greater knowledge and a more exact use of them, and, if in their regard they have fallen short owing tocontingencies of times and persons, they should takesteps to return to their ancestral traditions.


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The Nicene Creed- Our Faith

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all thingsvisible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ,Son of God, the only-begotten, born of the Father

before all ages. Light of light, true God of true God,begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father,

through Whom all things were made. Who for us men, andfor our salvation, came down from heaven, and was

incarnate from the Holy Spirit and Mary the virgin, andbecame man. He was also crucified for us under PontiusPilate, and suffered, and was buried. And He rose again

on the third day, according to the Scriptures. And Heascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of theFather. And He will come again with glory, to judge the

living and the dead, and of His kingdom there will beno end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of

life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together withthe Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Whospoke through the prophets. In one holy catholic, and

apostolic Church. I profess one Baptism for theremission of sins. I expect the resurrection of the

dead; and the life of the world to come. Amen.


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The End

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